Student training

Students from throughout Greece and Europe work at IMBBC for the implementation of their M.Sc. or Ph.D research, or for their Practical Training under the supervision of staff researchers. We also accept under-graduate students for their thesis work or for acquiring practical experience. Working here gives them a chance to interact with internationally accomplished researchers in a number of different fields, and gain experience in state of the art research. Special seminars and lectures are presented at the University of Crete, University of Patras, University of Thessaly, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as well as other European universities. Some of the Universities with which IMBBC cooperates in Student Training Activities include the following:

The IMBBC has laboratories in two locations in Greece. The main one is in the headquarters of the institute in Gournes Pediados, Heraklion, Crete, and the second one in Anavyssos, Attica. In Crete, research directions include Reproduction and physiology, Fish nutrition and feeding, Production technologies, Fish health, Aquaculture Genetics, Functional and Comparative genomics, Population genetics and phylogeography, Environmental genomics, Bioanalysis and biotechnology,  Marine biodiversity, Ecology and ecosystem management, Bioinformatics and biodiversity informatics. In Anavyssos, the research directions focus on Nutrition and Feeding, Fish Health, Quality and Safety, and Biomarkers and Bioassays. Scholars of all levels of education are welcome to participate in our activities. Working here provides a chance to interact with internationally accomplished researchers and gain experience in state-of-the-art research.  

Some of the Universities with which IMBBC cooperates in Student Training Activities include the following:

For Ph.D. research: University of Bologna, Italy; University of Crete, Greece; University of Valencia, Spain; Aarchus University, Denmark; Harokopio University, Greece; University of Stirling, Scotland; National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece; University of Thessaly, Greece; University and Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), Barcelona, Spain; Çukurova University, Turkey; Istanbul University, Turkey; Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, Romania; 

For M.Sc. research: University of Thessaly, Greece; Harokopio University, Greece; National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece; University and Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), Barcelona, Spain; University of Patras, Greece;

For Undergraduate Research and Training: Harokopio University, Greece; National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece; University of Thessaly, Greece; University of Patras, Greece; University of West Attica. Greece; University of the Peloponnese; Marche Polytechnic University, Italy; University of Aegean, Greece; Agricultural University of Athens, Greece

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The IMBBC also collaborates with the international post-graduate programme Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Aquaculture, Environment and Society Plus ( EMJMD ACES+ ). IMBBC Researchers of the Institute serve as invited speakers, but also Module leaders in this course and several international students carry out their practical exercises and/or M.Sc. thesis in collaboration with the Institute at the facilities in Crete. The 2-year programme provides the recipients with a unique experience to study in up to four centres of European excellence in the field of aquaculture: University of the Highlands and Islands (Scotland), University of Crete (Greece), Université de Nantes (France), and Radboud University (Netherlands). The group of scholars relocates every semester to one university.

The programme gives students extensive comprehension of the main principles of aquaculture and in-depth knowledge of numerous challenges in the sustainability of the industry. Moreover, it seeks to provide valuable skills such as presentation, networking, appropriate use of social media, and entrepreneurship.

The IMBBC is one of the main partner institutions in Crete during the second semester of the program. Research scientists from the institute deliver lectures that encompass diverse areas of aquaculture such as fish physiology, endocrinology, behaviour, product quality, genetics, and aquaculture-environment interactions of Mediterranean marine species.  They also design practicals on the operations of a marine hatchery, fish handling and blood sampling, broodstock management, assessment of fish reproductive performance (gametogenesis, egg quality, spawning), bacteriology, parasitology, water quality, and sea grasses. Furthermore, the institute offers placement for internships and dissertations where students can acquire further knowledge and gain practical skills in their field of interest.

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At present, there are already more than 60 recipients of this prestigious and competitive scholarship comings from all over the world. For more information visit: https://www.emm-aces.org/

Inter-institutional Graduate Programme in Environmental Biology

A number of researchers from IMBBC are involved in the Post graduate programme in Environmental Biology organized by the University of Crete, Department of Biology. Students are offered the chance to acquire state-of-the-art knowledge on marine and terrestrial ecosystems, biodiversity and management of biological resources. Several researchers from IMBBC provide lectures and seminars in a variety of areas, including Fish Reproduction, Nutrition, Aquaculture Production methods, Fish Health, Final Product Evaluation, Genetics and Genomics, etc.

The IMBBC and its researchers are also involved in many under-graduate and post-graduate programmes of several other universities in Greece and abroad including the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Thessaly, Agricultural University of Athens and the University of Aegean, among others. This involvement includes invited speeches/lectures, hosting and supervision of practical exercises at the Institute’s laboratories and supervision of M.Sc. and Ph.D. theses.

Under-graduate training

The IMBBC also hosts under-graduate students from a number of universities from Europe, in order to undertake their thesis research or for practical training. Formal agreements exist with the University of Bologna (Italy) and University of Marche (Ancona, Italy), thanks to European programmes as the Campus World programme (https://www.univpm.it/Entra/Studio/Campusworld/L/1).

Previous students at IMBBC

Sandra Ramos, Spain: I visited and used the IMBBC-HCMR infrastructures thanks to the AQUAEXCEL2020 TNA program. I had the opportunity to enrich my knowledge of tools that were completely unknown to me and took my Ph.D. research a step further. In addition, during the three months I was working there, I had the chance to make new contacts with international researchers. Not only working in the institute was a rewarding experience, but also the hospitality of people made my visit very pleasant.

Paschalis Natsidis, Greece: Ι did my Master thesis in IMBBC-HCMR. As a member of M.Sc. Bioinformatics the University of Crete, my work was purely computational and thus highly dependent on the HCMR cluster facilities. Under right guidance and supervision, I was able to successfully exploit the cluster resources, complete my thesis and eventually land a prestigious Ph.D. position. Besides that, working at IMBBC-HCMR was a pleasure because of its location, the people who made me feel very welcome, and, of course, the quality of research.

Joshua Superio, Philippines: As a student under the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Aquaculture, Environment, and Society Plus (EMMJMD-ACES+), I first came here at HCMR-IMBBC to do my internship as part of my curriculum under the University of Crete. During my three months internship at the Aqualabs, I was able to gain knowledge and skills in Reproductive Biology and Broodstock Management of Mediterranean Aquaculture species. The time I spent at the facility deepened my interest in fish reproductive physiology (plus the perks of working with world-renowned experts, great facilities, the breathtaking island of Crete), and thus I decided to go back and conduct my thesis in parentage contribution in the European sea bass.

Previous students at the laboratory of Reproduction and physiology

Doctor of Philosophy 
Ioannis Fakriadis, University of Crete. Management of aquatic living resources (2015- )
Isabel Forner Piquer, Universita Politechnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy (2016)
Zohar Ibarra Zatarain, Universita Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain (2015)
Paulo Henrique de Mello, Universidade de Sao Paolo, Instituto de Biociencias, Brazil (2014)
Alexios Glaropoulos, University of Crete. Department of Biology. Management of Aquatic living resources (2014)
Miriam Sánchez Hernández, University of Murcia, Spain. Faculty of Biology, Department of Cellular Biology and Histology (2013)
José-María Guzmán Jiménez, University of Cadiz, Spain. Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Department of Biology (2010)
Eleftheria Fanouraki, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2010)
Laia Navarro-Martín, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. Faculty of Biology, Department of Physiology (2009)
Dane Newman, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia. School of Life and Environmental Sciences (2008)
Spyros Kollias, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2007)
Riccardo Caprioli, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Department of Biology (2007)
Konstantinos Ambatzis, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2006)
Ioannis Papadakis, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2005)
Dimitris Sfakianakis, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2004)
Aglaia Antoniou, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2003)
Simona Rainis, University of Firenze, Italy. Special training (2002)

M.Sc.
Marina Pouli, University of Crete. Department of Biology. Management of terrestrial & aquatic living resources (2017-2019)
Stefano Lancerotto, Universita Politechnica delle Marche, Ancona, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell’ Ambiente, Italy (2018-19)
Emmanouela Bernadou, University of Crete. Department of Biology. Management of terrestrial & aquatic living resources (2016-2018)
Eugenio Zanata, Universita di Padova, Dipartimento di Biologia, Italy (2018)
Dimitris Karamanlidis, University of Crete. Management of aquatic living resources (2015-2016)
Francesca Lisi, University of Barcelona, Spain. (2016)
Renata Flec Pontes dos Santos, University of the Algarve, Faro, Portugal. (2015-2016)
Tomasso Biglino, Lund University, Sweden. (2014)
Maria Smyrli, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2012-2014)
Eufrosini Fatira, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2012-2013)

Christina Saapoglou, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2009-2013)
Cinzia Castaldo, University of Padova. (2011)
Clara Petra Cerviño Becerro, University of Barcelona (2011)
Nikolaos Mitrizakis, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2009-2011)
Valerio Vitallini, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Department of Biology (2007-8)
Venia Stavrou, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2007-2008)
Maria Panayiotidou, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2005-2007)
Costitsa Apostolidi, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2005-2007)
Giannis Fakriadis, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2004-2006)
Kirsten Sarter, University of Heidelberg, Germany, 2004
Mario Zaiss, University of Heidelberg, Germany, 2004
Ozlem Yilmaz, University of Adana. Aquatic Resources (2003-2004)
Liliana Nitadoraki, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2002-2004)
Maria Papadaki, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2001-2003)

Christina Saapoglou, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2009-2013)
Cinzia Castaldo, University of Padova. (2011)
Clara Petra Cerviño Becerro, University of Barcelona (2011)
Nikolaos Mitrizakis, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2009-2011)
Valerio Vitallini, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Department of Biology (2007-8)
Venia Stavrou, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2007-2008)
Maria Panayiotidou, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2005-2007)
Costitsa Apostolidi, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2005-2007)
Giannis Fakriadis, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2004-2006)
Kirsten Sarter, University of Heidelberg, Germany, 2004
Mario Zaiss, University of Heidelberg, Germany, 2004
Ozlem Yilmaz, University of Adana. Aquatic Resources (2003-2004)
Liliana Nitadoraki, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2002-2004)
Maria Papadaki, University of Crete. Management of Aquatic living resources (2001-2003)

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Post-graduate training 
Marina Pouli, B.Sc., University of Crete.  Post-graduate Special Laboratory Study, 2018
Andrea Villena Rodriguez, M.Sc., University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.  Post-graduate ERASMUS Trainingship, 2019
Emmanouella Vernardou B.Sc., University of Crete.  Post-graduate Special Laboratory Study, 2017
Leonardo Mancini, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy, 2016
Andrea Sagrati, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy, 2016
Davide Mazzela, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Veterinary Medical Sciences, Bologna, Italy, 2015
Maria Chiara Cascarano Sagrati, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy, 2015-6
Sara Salone, B.Sc., Universita di Bologna, Scuola di Agraria e Medicina Veterinaria, Italy, 2014,
Veronica Santinelli, B.Sc., Universita Politecninca delle Marche, Ancona, Italy, 2013
Paulina Karkut, B.Sc., Jagiellomnian University, Kranow, Poland, 2013
Emmanuel Delcroix B.Sc., L’Ecole National d’Ingenieurs des Travaux Agricoles de Bordeaux, France.  Post-graduate Special Laboratory Study (“Stage”), 2006
Giannis Fakriadis B.Sc., University of Crete.  Post-graduate Special Laboratory Study, 2004
Maria Neofytoy B.Sc., University of Crete.  Post-graduate Special Laboratory Study, 2004
Giannis Papadakis B.Sc., University of Crete.  Post-graduate Special Laboratory Study, 2003
Maria Papadaki B.Sc., University of Crete.  Post-graduate Special Laboratory Study, 2001
Gloriana Cardinaletti, B.Sc., University of Camerino Italy.  E.U. Programme Leonardo da Vinci, 2001
Elsa Panini, B.Sc., University of Torino. Italy.  E.U. Programme Leonardo da Vinci, 2000

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Under-graduate training
Roberta Sarracino, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy, 2019 (6 months). Practical training in marine aquaculture production, with emphasis on broodstock management.
Luca Calloni, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy, 2019
Emmanuelle Vervelakis, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Veterinary Medical Sciences, Bologna, Italy, 2019
Chiara Vecchiatini, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Veterinary Medical Sciences, Bologna, Italy, 2018-19
Petros Anastasiadis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 2017
​Andrea Bertini, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Veterinary Medical Sciences, Bologna, Italy, 2017
Irini Kagiambaki, University of Crete, Department of Chemistry, 2017
Constantinos Kalaentzakis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 2017
Rafaella Kakakiou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 2017
Alkyoni Sfendouraki-Basakarou, Univeristy of Crete, Department of Biology. 2016-2017
Veronica Camporesi, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Veterinary Medical Sciences, Bologna, Italy, 2016
Anna Tampou, University of Thessaly, Department of Agriculture, Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, 2016
Elisavet Siropoulou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 2016
Sotirios Gounis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 2015
Stelios Karapanagiotidis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 2015
Annalena Karyda, Agricultural University of Athens, Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, 2015
Fabrizio Caruso, Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Veterinary Medical Sciences, Bologna, Italy, 2015
Alessio Carletti, Università Politecnicadelle Marche, Ancona, Italy, 2015
Maria Claudia Noguera, University of Santa Catarina, Brazil 2015
Emma Bell, Portsmouth University, School of Biological Sciences, U.K. 2015
Anastasia Arvaniti, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 2014
Maria Dermitzoglou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 2014
Panayiotis Trikallinos, Agricultural University of Athens, 2013
Alexandra Alevra, Agricultural University of Athens, 2013
Rania Christofidou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 2013
Michalis Ragousis, University of the Aegean, Department of Marine Sciences, 2013
​Elsa Kentepozidou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 2012
Panayiota Ignatiou, University of Crete, 2007-2008
Nikos Mitrizakis, University of Thessaly, Department of Agriculture, 2006
Aggelos Agathangelou, University of Crete, 2005
Christina Kounna, University of Glasgow, Scotland, 2005
Michaela Papadopoulou, University of Crete, 2004
Spyros Konstas, University of Thessaly, Department of Agriculture 2003
George Bardanis, University of Crete, 2001
Konstantinos Amanakis, University of Sunderland, 2000-2001